Automatic Portable Deployer for Pool Covers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided for unwinding pool coves from reels for their deployment. The apparatus provides a portable driver having a motor and gearbox that turn a rotating driver mechanism that connects to a spool on a portable deployer. The weight of the portable driver anchors and stabilizes the portable deployer so the apparatus will resist movement and will pull the cover toward the apparatus when a rope attached to the cover is wound on the spool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method of deploying covers for pools, and more particularly an apparatus that can pull a pool cover across a pool and that can be operated remotely.

The invention provides a fast and convenient way to pull a member attached to a rope and wind the rope on a spool, and in particular to pull a cover over a pool. The present invention provides effortless operation by one person, eliminating hand cranking.

Pool covers are well known in the art for their benefits in insulating pools when they are not in use. Pool covers also prevent debris from entering the pool and they decrease evaporation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,072 which issued Jul. 22, 1986, is an example of such a pool cover and is herein incorporated by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,143, granted to Jiri Kalandovsky on Jun. 20, 1995, shows a manually-operated, portable spool that is used to draw a pool cover across a pool. U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,318, invented by Wesley L. Mathis and granted on Sep. 23, 2003, teaches using a portable, hand-held, powered screw-driver mechanism for turning a spool that draws a pool cover across a pool.

The present invention improves upon the prior art by providing a modular apparatus that can be operated remotely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for unwinding pool covers from reels that does not require the user to manually turn the spool that draws the cover across the pool.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that does not require the user to stabilize it and that can be operated remotely so the user can monitor and adjust the pool cover at the reel that carries the wound cover while it is being deployed. The apparatus is preferably battery powered and is remotely controlled once the rope is attached to the spool.

The apparatus consists of a separate, portable driver and a separate, portable deployer. The separate components can be coupled together so that the portable driver can act upon the portable deployer which has a spool upon which the rope is wound that pulls the cover across the pool. The separate components can be decoupled from each other for moving the apparatus to pull additional covers and it also allows the portable driver to be used without the portable deployer to drive the reels upon which the covers are wound for storage. The separate components are designed so that when the portable driver is coupled to the spool to operate the spool, the portable driver can also engage the portable deployer such that together the portable driver and portable spool are fixed in place while the pool cover is pulled across the pool by the apparatus.

According to the present invention, the portable driver stabilizes the portable deployer. This stabilization can be provided by the portable driver resting on the base of the portable deployer. By resting on the base of the portable deployer, the weight of the portable driver anchors the portable deployer and prevents it from moving. If the portable driver mechanism is too light to anchor the portable deployer, weights can be added to the portable driver. This may be the case if the portable driver derives its power by being plugged into a remote electrical supply. In the preferred embodiment, the portable driver is battery operated and the weight of the batteries is generally sufficient to anchor the portable deployer as it pulls a cover across a pool when the portable driver is received by and rests on the base of the portable deployer.

The present invention fulfills the above objects by providing a portable driver and a portable deployer that when connected together create a stable, anchored apparatus for winding the rope that pulls the cover across the pool onto the spool of the portable deployer. Because the design is modular with the apparatus consisting of a portable driver that is separate from the portable deployer, the portable driver mechanism can also be used at the reels which carry the covers to wind the covers back onto the reels by driving the reels, when the pool cover needs to be removed from the pool.

Automatic pool deployers are known in the prior art; however, the present invention provides a combination of features not taught by the prior art: mobility, portability, a modular design, and the ability to be operated remotely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the separate deployer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the separate deployer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the separate deployer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the separate deployer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the separate deployer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, showing the separate deployer and the separate driver removed from each other.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, showing the separate deployer and the separate driver coupled together with the modular driver resting on the base of the modular deployer.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, showing the separate deployer and the separate driver coupled together with the modular driver resting on the base of the modular deployer on the deck of a pool with a rope coupled to the spool of the deployer.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention, showing the separate deployer and the separate driver coupled together with the modular driver resting on the base of the modular deployer on the deck of a pool with a rope coupled to the spool of the deployer pulling a pool cover across a pool that is partially wound on a spool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the separate, portable deployer 1. The portable deployer 1 has a spool 2. The spool 2 has an axil 3. The axil 3 rides on bearings 4 which allow the axis to rotate freely. The end 5 of the axil 3 is shaped to receive and join with a rotating driver mechanism 6. The rotating driver mechanism 6 is used for winding the spool 2 of the deployer 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the end 5 of the axil 3 can be square. As shown in FIG. 1, the square end 5 can be received in a corresponding square socket that is part of the driver mechanism 6. The socket and end 5 of the axil can be any shape that allows for interlock so that as the winding driver mechanism 6 rotates the axil 3 will rotate.

As shown in FIG. 8, the spool is provided with spokes 7, and cross bars 8 are connected to the spokes at a selected distance away from the axil 3. The rope 9 attached to the pool cover 10 is attached to the spool 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the rope 9 can be attached to one of the cross bars 8 and winds around the cross bars 8. As shown in the drawings, the spokes 7 end at outer rims 11 which are shown as circular members. The spokes contain the rope 9 as it winds on the spool 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the axil 3 and bearings 4 are supported by a u-shaped saddle 12, and the u-shaped saddle 12 is in turn supported by a post 13. The post is attached to a base 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 14 can include a plate 15 that supports the post 13. Two spaced-apart tracks 16 are attached to the plate 15 at the ends of the plate. The tracks 16 are preferably u-shaped members with a flat web 17 and upstanding side walls 18. As shown in FIG. 7, the web 17 is wide enough to receive the wheels 19 of the modular, portable driver 20. As is also shown in FIG. 7, the tracks 16 are long enough for each of the wheels 19 of the portable driver 20 to be received in the tracks 16. Preferably, the full weight of the portable driver 20 bears upon the base 14 of the portable deployer 1. The side walls 18 guide the wheels 19. The web 17 of the track 16 is relatively thin so the wheels 19 ride easily onto the web 17 of the track 16. The frame members of the portable deployer 1 are preferably made from steel or similarly strong material. The portable driver 20 has four wheels at the corners of the platform 21 for the portable driver 20.

The tracks 16 are also provide with bars or stops 22 that prevent further travel of the front wheels 19 in the tracks 16. This helps position the portable driver 20 at the correct spot for the driver 6 to receive the end 5 of the axil 3. The weight of the portable driver 20 is transmitted to the portable deployer 1 through the wheels 19 of the portable driver 20 resting on the base 14 of the portable deployer 1, holding the portable deployer 1 to the ground or pool deck 23 and creating friction which resists movement of the portable deployer 1 while it is exerting force on the rope 9 to pull the cover 10 across the pool 24. The ground or pool deck 23 surrounds or partially surrounds the pool 24 and constitutes the dry surface outside of the pool 24. Portions of the portable deployer 1 are compressed by the weight of the portable driver mechanism 20 against the ground 23.

As shown in FIG. 8, preferably a latching bar 25 is provided that attaches the portable deployer 1 to the portable driver 20 holding them in place. The latching bar 28 is connected to a brace 26 that attaches to the post 13 and to a second plate 27 that connects the tracks 16 of the base 14. The latching bar 25 rotates on a pivot 28 and has a simple angle 29 that engages the frame 30 of the portable driver 20.

Preferably, the base 14 of the portable deployer 1 is provided with a pair of aligned wheels 31 at the end of the base 14 near the post 13. The aligned wheels 31 are aligned on their axis of rotation. A handle 32 attached to the upper portion of the portable deployer 1 on the same side as the aligned wheels 31 allows the user to tip the portable deployer 1 up so that the deployer 6 is supported only by the aligned wheels 31 and can be rolled to easily move the device. The aligned wheels 31 are attached to the plate 15 near its ends. The handle 32 is preferably attached to the U-shaped saddle 12 as shown in FIG. 2.

The motorized, portable driver 20 preferably uses a battery powered motor connected to the winding rotating driver 6 by means of a gear box that can be controlled by a remote control 36. The power supply for the motor is preferably batteries that are incorporated into the portable driver 20, but the power supply can also be separate from the portable driver and electrically connected to the motor of the portable driver 20 such as by a cable attached to a power outlet located in proximity to the pool 24. The user can set the winding driver mechanism 6 at multiple heights. Operating controls 33 are provided on the case 34 for the gear box and winding driver mechanism 6. The remote control 36 is provided with operating controls as well. An antenna 37 for communicating with the remote control 36 can also be provided on the case 34. Using the remote control 36, the user can stand at the reels where the cover is being unwound while operating the apparatus to pull the cover 10 across the pool 24. The rotating driver 6 can be set at multiple heights, because it is supported by a pair of telescoping shafts which are in turn supported on a pair of air springs connected in serial relation. This arrangement allows for the winding driver 6 to be adjusted vertically within a selected distance and to be held at a selected vertical height until the user lifts or depresses the mount carrying the winding driver 6.

The telescoping shafts nest one within the other and have at their ends plates to which the end of an air spring is connected. The air springs are in turn connected to each other at their ends by a coupler. The shafts are closely nested within each other as well as being provided with shims so that they support each other against lateral forces, such that the air springs need only support the vertical load of the motor, gear box and controls.

The batteries are provided at the base of the apparatus at the edges of the frame 30 to provide a low center of gravity as well as lateral resistance to movement so the motor can more easily drive the reels or portable deployer 1. Also by providing the batteries at the base of the device they do not need to be lifted by the air springs for adjustable connection to reels or spools at multiple heights. As shown in FIG. 6, the portable driver mechanism 20 can have two battery compartments 35, each containing a large, heavy battery. 

I claim:
 1. A modular, portable apparatus for deploying a pool cover over a pool, the pool having a pool deck that at least partially surrounds the pool, the apparatus comprising: a. a portable deployer having a spool that can be rotated, the spool being able to receive a rope attached to a pool cover, the rope being able to be wound on the spool and as the rope is wound on the spool the pool cover is pulled across the pool, the portable deployer having a base that supports the spool, and when the portable deployer is used to pull a pool cover across the pool, the base bears upon the pool deck, and the portable deployer can be moved with respect to the pool deck so that the portable deployer can be placed at different positions on the pool deck; b. a separate, portable driver having a driver mechanism for rotating the spool, a motor coupled to the driver mechanism for rotating the driver mechanism, and a power supply coupled to the motor for driving the motor, the portable driver having a frame which supports the driver mechanism and the motor, the driver mechanism being releasably coupled to the spool for rotating the spool, and the frame of the portable driver being releasably engaged with the portable deployer so that the portable driver stabilizes the portable deployer, preventing the portable deployer from moving with respect to the pool deck when the pool cover is pulled across the pool by the apparatus.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: a. the portable deployer is provided with one or more wheels for moving the portable deployer separately on the pool deck, and b. the portable driver is provided with wheels for moving the portable driver separately on the pool deck.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: a remote control is provided to operate the apparatus remotely.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: the power supply for the portable driver are batteries carried by the frame of the portable driver.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the portable deployer is provided with a latch to releasably engage the portable driver.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: the portable deployer is provided with tracks that can receive at least some of the wheels of the portable driver.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the portable driver is used with a remote control to operate the apparatus remotely.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the portable driver stabilizes the portable deployer by bearing upon the base of the portable deployer, the bearing of the portable driver on the base of the portable deployer being sufficient to prevent the portable deployer from moving with respect to the pool deck as the pool cover is pulled across the pool by the apparatus.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the portable deployer is provided with a latch to releasably engage the portable driver.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: a. the portable driver is supported by wheels; b. the portable deployer is provided with tracks that can receive at least some of the wheels of the portable driver.
 11. A method for pulling a cover for a pool across a pool with an apparatus, comprising: a. attaching a rope to the cover; b. attaching the rope to a spool of a portable deployer, the spool being rotatable, c. winding the rope on the spool and pulling the pool cover across the pool, the portable deployer having a base that supports the spool, and as the portable deployer is used to pull a pool cover across the pool, the base bears upon the pool deck, and when the portable deployer is not being used to pull a pool cover the portable deployer can be moved with respect to the pool deck so that the portable deployer can be placed at different positions on the pool deck; d. operating the spool of the portable deployer with a separate, portable driver having a driver mechanism for rotating the spool, the portable driver having a motor coupled to the driver mechanism for rotating the driver mechanism, and a power supply coupled to the motor for driving the motor, the portable driver having a frame which supports the driver mechanism and the motor, the driver mechanism being releasably coupled to the spool for rotating the spool, and the frame of the portable driver being releasably engaged with the portable deployer so that the portable driver stabilizes the portable deployer and prevents the portable deployer from moving with respect to the pool deck as the pool cover is pulled across the pool by the apparatus.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein: a. the portable deployer is provided with one or more wheels for moving the portable deployer separately on the pool deck, and b. the portable driver is provided with wheels for moving the portable driver separately on the pool deck.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein: the portable driver is used with a remote control to operate the apparatus remotely.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein: the power supply for the portable driver are batteries carried by the frame of the portable driver.
 15. The method of claim 44, wherein: the portable deployer is provided with a latch to releasably engage the portable driver.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein: the portable deployer is provided with tracks that can receive at least some of the wheels of the portable driver.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein: the portable driver is used with a remote control to operate the apparatus remotely.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein: the portable driver stabilizes the portable deployer by bearing upon the base of the portable deployer, the bearing of the portable driver on the base of the portable deployer being sufficient to prevent the portable deployer from moving with respect to the pool deck as the pool cover is pulled across the pool by the apparatus.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein: the portable deployer is provided with a latch to releasably engage the portable driver.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein: a. the portable driver is supported by wheels; b. the portable deployer is provided with tracks that can receive at least some of the wheels of the portable driver. 